Kilnsey Crag Walk

Walking in the Yorkshire Dales from Kilnsey Crag in Wharfedale
Walking in the Yorkshire Dales from Kilnsey Crag in Wharfedale

By Vicky · Published Oct. 4th, 2024

The Kilnsey Crag Walk leads past the prominent limestone cliff and up through classic scenery of the Yorkshire Dales.

Location

The Kilnsey Crag Walk starts from the bridge into Conistone in the Yorkshire Dales. There are several parking spots on the village-side of the bridge where the roads slightly widens.

Kilnsey Crag Walking Map

Tips

Kilnsey Crag Walking Route

Views of Kilnsey Crag on a walk through a field with sheep
Walking through the village of Kilnsey, famous for the limestone crag nearby

From Conistone Bridge, head away from the village and through the style on the right on the other side of the bridge. Head along the track to the corner of the walls, then walk diagonally to the left across the field. The path isn’t very clear here, but you’ll soon return again to a track. Follow the track, head right at the junction and you’ll soon be on the small road by Kilnsey Crag.

Admire Kilnsey Crag to your right – the steep limestone cliff popular with rock climbers. Then turn left on the road, then right on the small road just past the Tennants Arms pub. Walk through the little village of Kilnsey and continue on the road which soon turns into a track called Mastiles Lane.

Continue walking along Mastiles Lane for about 3.5km. There’s some lovely scenery and most of the climb is done in this section. As you descend, look out for the collection of farm buildings in the valley to your left. Just after a wall, take the track to the left leading all the way down to the farm.

Walking along a small lane in yorkshire
Limestone crags and a dry stone wall on a walk in the Yorkshire Dales from Kilnsey Crag

Shortly before the buildings, turn left along a small, signposted footpath. Follow the wall and continue left at the corner before taking a right that heads quite steeply up the other side of the valley. Now continue straight onwards until you come out on a small track before a building. Turn right on the track, then take the path on the left when the track bends right in about 100 metres.

Walking through a little Woodland

Soon the path leaves the open limestone hillside and you’ll see a sparse woodland on your left, with the ground covered in bracken. In a little while you’ll reach a camping caravan site (Wood Nook). Pass through here and out the other side. Continue down the land and at the first junction, turn left.

a lime kiln
A grassy meadow in the Yorkshire DAles

It’s now about 2 km along this quiet lane, and this section contains the final bit of climb. When you’re almost at the very top of the hill, take the path to the right over the wall. In another 2 km you’ll be at another wall. Turn right here and in a few hundred metres you’ll be back at a junction you passed much earlier on the hike.

For the next 500 meters, walk back down Mastiles Lane. Then look out for a style over the wall to the right, next to a hiking sign (not the larger track which is a bit earlier). This path leads you down to the road in the valley. Turn right, then almost immediately right again to reach the bridge to Conistone. This is the end of the Kilnsey Crag Walk.


Guidebooks to explore more of Yorkshire

The Rough Guide to Yorkshire* is a great little guidebook and has a section on Ilkley and things to do nearby. The Yorkshire Dales Pathfinder Guide* has a good collection of short hikes suitable for the entire family and the Guide to North Yorkshire Pub Walks* has some fun walks in the Dales for those who are hungry and thirsty.


For more nearby hikes, check out the Best Walks in Yorkshire, or find more ideas in our Yorkshire Guide.

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